Cortisone Alternatives and Side Effects
March 26, 2011 by Dr. Marc Darrow, M.D.
Filed under Knee Pain
The damage NSAIDs and anti-inflammatory medications do is permanent and extensive. Effective at reducing pain because of their anti-inflammatory action, cortisone and other Corticosteroids can assault the body with an avalanche of counter-productive side effects if used repeatedly.
Even worse, although exercise normally strengthens the body, studies have shown that when cortisone is injected into the knees, and the patient exercises, there is even greater destruction than with cortisone shots alone, with cartilage cell counts reduced by over 20%.
Steroids inhibit the release of growth hormone and rob the body of calcium and vitamin D.
They also interfere with the development of new tissue growth and disrupt the processes that lead to new cell and blood vessel formation.
Corticosteroids inhibit the synthesis of proteins, collagen, and proteoglycans in articular cartilage by inhibiting chondrocyte production, the cells that comprise and produce the articular cartilage.
The net catabolic effect (chemical decomposition) of repeated corticosteroids is inhibition of fibroblast production of collagen, ground substance, and angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation).
The result is weakened synovial joints, supporting structures, articular cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. This weakness increases the pain, and the increased pain leads to more steroid injections.
